Animated figure



Feb. 18, 1969 DUFFY, JR 3,427,745

ANIMATED FIGURE Filed Jan. 16. 1967 Sheet of 2 J5 INVENTOR- \7/W9/vc/6'OUFFZUR ATTORA/[YS Feb; 18 F, A. DUFFY, JR-

ANIMATED FIGURE Sheet 2 012 Filed Jan. 16. 1967 INVENTOR. H. DUI-7:):L/e BY 6M Wfiw United States Patent 3,427,745 ANIMATED FIGURE Francis A.Duffy, Jr., 26 E. Wister St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19144 Filed Jan. 16,1967, Ser. No. 609,433 U.S. Cl. 46118 1 Int. Cl. A63h /00, 33/26 5Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to amusementdevices and more particularly to an electrically operated animatedfigure capable of movements which simulate the actions of a musician;the invention includes means for reproducing musical compositions insynchronism with the movements of the animated figure.

One of the important objects of the invention is the provision of ananimated figure controlled in such. a manner that realistic, life-likemovements and musical effects are produced.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an animated figureand control circuitry therefor which is simple in concept and dependablein operation.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of circuitry forsynchronizing the reproduction of musical compositions in timedrelationship with the simulated playing of one or more musicalinstruments by the animated figure.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a simple andeffective means for producing movements of the limbs of the animatedfigure.

A specific object of the invention is the provision of an animatedfigure of a drummer and of control mechanism for causing the simulatedoperation of a plurality of musical instruments.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter uponreference to the following detailed description when taken in light ofthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a figure formed in accordance with theteachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 1a is a view of a foot of the figure and mechanism for operationa pair of cymbals;

FIGURE 1b is a view of the other foot of the figure;

FIGURE 2 is a view of a portion of the structure for eifecting movementsof the figure and reproduction of a musical composition in synchronismtherewith;

FIGURE 2a is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure shown inFIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 3 is a schematic wiring diagram of circuitry used in connectionwith the present invention.

Turning first to FIGURES 1, 1a and 1b, figure 10 is shown secured to asuitable base 11 by means not illustrated. Although a variety of musicalinstruments, including pianos, organs or other instruments of thepercussion type may be operated by the figure 10, according to thepreferred embodiment, the figure is made to operate a plurality of drums12 through 15 which are preferably of different sizes and type. Theseare also mounted on the base 11. The arrangement may also includecymbals 16, 17 and 18. The construction of the figure 10 is notparticularly critical to the invention so long as arms 19 and 20 areprovided with sufficient freedom of movement so as to freely movetowards and away from the surfaces of drums 12, 14 and 15.

It is important, however, that at least one arm or the end of the arm,i.e., arm 19 in the illustrative embodiment, be free for movement in avertical plane and in a horizontal plane, so that the drumstick 21 heldin the hand of that arm can be moved towards and away from engagementwith the drumhead of the drum 15 or of drum 14. This may be simplyaccomplished by providing a flexible joint between the arm 19 and thetors of the figure. In the illustrative embodiment, both arms arejointed to the torso by pieces of spring wire, shown in phantom lines at19a and 20a. The spring wires bias the arms slightly so that they areordinarily held in position with the drumsticks raised above the surfaceof the drums. Such a construction provides sufiicient flexibility sothat arm 20 can move towards and away from the drumhead of either drum14 or drum 15. Ann 20 in the illustrative embodiment is only required tomove in a single plane, that is, towards and away from the drum 12,although movement towards the other drums could obviously be providedfor.

In order to control the movements of the arms 19 and 20, pieces ofmagnetic material are mounted in the hands of the arms 19 and 20, asshown at 22 and 23; preferably small electromagnets having their polesoriented lengthwise of the arms are provided.

Mounted within the drums 12, 1'4 and 15 are electromagnets 24, 25 and26, each consisting of a coil and stationary iron core. Preferably, thepolarity of the magnet 24 with respect to the magnet 23 and of themagnets 25 and 26 with respect to the magnet 22 is such that oppositepoles are adjacent each other. Thus, when one of the electromagnets 24through 26 is energized, the associated arm is drawn downwardly untilthe drumstick held by the hand of that arm moves rapidly towards contactwith the drumhead.

Once an energized electromagnet is de-energized, the resilience of thejoint for the arm returns that arm to its initial raised position.

As noted above, in the case of arm '19, depending upon whetherelectromagnet 25 or 26 is energized, the drumstick held in that arm willbe drawn towards engagement with one or the other of the drums 14 and15.

As shown in FIGURE 1a, the high hat cymbal set rod 30 fits through theiron core 29a of the magnet 29' and is provided at its lower end with apermanent ma net a. The other end of rod 30 is connected to the uppercymbal 31 of the cymbal set 16. Lower cymbal 32 is mounted on a sleeve33 which is connected to the base 11 by means of a bracket 34.

Foot 28 is preferably hinged to the bracket 34 by a hinge pin 35 and isalso connected to the shaft 30 by means of a connecting ring 36. Aspring 37 urges the two cymbals apart, thus urging the permanent magnet30a towards the iron core of the electromagnet 29. Upon energization ofthe magnet, the permanent magnet 30a is moved downwardly because itsupper surface is of the same polarity as the lower face of the energizedelectromagnet; thus rod 30 and cymbal 31 are pulled downwardly until thefaces of the two cymbals 32 come into contact. De-energization of themagnet 20 allows the armature to return to its original position inwhich the cymbals are separated under the urging of spring 37.

A similar arrangement is disclosed in FIGURE 1b. The figures other foot40' is shown pivotally mounted on a pin 41 for movement up and down. Thefoot is connected to a rod 42 which is in turn connected to a permanentmagnet 43 which is beneath an electromagnet 44. Energization of theelectromagnet 44 forces the permanent magnet 43 downwardly. A drumstiok45, pivotally mounted as shown at 46, is connected to the rod 42.Energization of the electromagnet causes downward movement of the rod 42which rocks the drumstick about the pivot point 46 so that it movestowards and away from engagement with the drumhea-d of the large drum ortom 13.

An important aspect of the invention lies in the means for control ofthe animated figure 10. Preferably, control is achieved by the structureand circuitry schematically shown in FIGURES 2, 2a and 4. According tothe invention, an extended loop of magnetic tape T is mounted onsuitable support structure secured beneath the base 11 for movement in acontinuous path. The tape is guided in its path by means of a pluralityof rollers 47 and moves past a pair of control stations as will beexplained hereinafter.

In order to control the operation of the animated figure, the tape isprovided with a plurality of channels each bearing suitable controlindicia. In the illustrative embodiment, the tape has six such channels,although this number could obviously be varied somewhat. The controlindicia on the tape may take a variety of forms. Preferably, control ofthe electromagnets is achieved by apertures spaced in five of thechannels. This arrangement may be seen in FIGURE 2a wherein threeapertures 48, 49 and 50 are illustrated. In practice, numerous apertureswill be provided in each of the channels.

Control of the figure is achieved by six contact members 51-56 (one foreach channel) which are spring urged for engagement with the tape. Thetape is threaded over a suitable metallic roller 57 at the point ofcontact with the contactor members. This roller forms a part of acircuit for controlling the operation of the figure whenever one or moreof the contact members 51-56 makes contact with the roller through oneof the apertures in the tape. Circuitry for accomplishing this is shownin FIGURE 3 and will now be described.

A motor 60 schematically indicated in FIGURE 3, is provided for thepurpose of driving the tape T. The motor is started by means of amanually operable switch 61 which is momentarily closed to complete acircuit from a 6 volt terminal on a DC power supply, through anelectromagnet 62, also shown in FIGURE 4, to a 18 volt terminal. A pairof permanent magnets 63 and 630 (FIGURE 4) are mounted on the operatingarm of a microswitch 64. These permanent magnets are positioned so thatthey are adjacent opposite ends of the iron core of the electromagnet.The two permanent magnets have the same poles adjacent the core ofelectromagnet so that reversal of the polarity of the electromagnetmoves the arm up and down as indicated by the arrow in FIGURE 4.

A circuit is completed from ground, through the closed microswitch,through the motor to the -6 volt terminal. Once the small permanentmagnet 63' engages the iron core of the electromagnet, it holds itselfthere, even after switch 61 opens and the microswitch 64 is held in theposition which maintains the circuit through the motor 60. By means ofthe permanent magnet arrangement, the motor microswitch is held in theenergized position saving the use of the battery power.

Also connected in the circuit in parallel with the motor 60 is an audioamplifier 65 for amplifying the sound representations recorded on thetape. Upon energization of the motor and amplifier circuits, the tape isadvanced past a pick-up station 66 at which the recorded sound is pickedup from one separate channel on the tape, amplified by the amplifier 65and reproduced by the speaker 67. At the same time, the tape switches 51through 56 sense the presence or absence of apertures in the otherchannels of the tape. Whenever an aperture passes over roll 57 in anygiven channel, the switch contactor member aligned with that channelengages the roll, thus completing a circuit from the 18 volt side of theline through the electromagnets associated with the different channelson the tape. Five of these electromagnets, namely magnets 24-26, 29, and44 are represented in FIGURE 3 by the instruments in which they aremounted. The sixth is the electromagnet 62 which starts and stops theoperation of the apparatus. When the switch contactor member 56 sensesthe aperture in the sixth channel, a circuit is completed from theground to the -6 volt terminal on the storage battery. The solenoid 62is reenergized, but the polarity is reversed from what it was when theswitch 61 was closed to initiate a cycle. This reverse polarity repelsthe permanent magnet 63 and attracts magnet 63a, thereby breaking thecircuit to the motor and stopping the operation of the apparatus untilthe next manual operation of the switch 61.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention, a lamp 68 is adapted tobe lit whenever switch 64 is in the raised position. This lamp may beused to illuminate a suitable advertising display device if desired.

Although an endless ribbon of tape is used in the illustrativeembodiment, the apparatus may be modified to accommodate tape incartridge form so that a wider selection of musical compositions may beplayed.

It should be evident from the foregoing that I have provided a highlyunusual and effective animated figure suitable for advertising purposesor solely for the amusement of the public. The circuit and controlsystem is extremely effective in operation and is arranged for minimumconsumption of power.

I claim:

1. In combination, an animated figure of a musician, means mounting ahand of said figure for movement to a plurality of laterally spacedpositions, means simulating a musical instrument at each of saidpositions, a portion of a magnetic material in said hand, anelectromagnet at each of said positions, said magnetic material beingpositioned relative to each of said electromagnets whereby energizationof a selected one of said electromagnets attracts the magnetic materialthereby moving said hand towards said position to simulate the playingof a musical instrument, and electrical control circuitry for energizingsaid electromagnets according to predetermined rhythmic patterns.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said musical instrument meansincludes a plurality of drums, one of said drums being located at eachof said positions, and wherein said hand is provided with a drumstickadapted to be moved towards striking engagement with said drums uponenergization of selected ones of said electromagnets.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic material is apermanent magnet, the magnet being positioned so that opposite poles ofsaid electromagnet and said permanent magnet are adjacent each other andfurther including spring biasing means for urging said hand to a raisedposition with respect to said musical instrument simulating means.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, further including means associatedwith said figure for reproducing musical compositions and meanssynchronized with said musical composition for operating said controlcircuitry whereby the playing of musical compositions is simulated bysaid figure.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the means for reproducingmusical compositions includes a magnetic tape, the composition beingrecorded on said tape, wherein said synchronizing means includes atleast one separate channel on said tape, control indicia spaced alongsaid channel for energizing said electromagnets in synchronism with theplay-back of the composition recorded on said tape.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,564,674 12/1925 Hodgkins 46-1441,685,090 9/1928 Lifshitz 84-104 LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner.

10 H. DINITZ, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 46235

